Gov. Charlie Crist retains his lofty 61 - 25 percent job approval rating, while the proposed
constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage remains short, although within range, of the
60 percent vote needed for approval, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Gov. Crist's support includes 50 percent of Democrats and 57 percent of independent
voters. At the same time, the State Legislature gets a split 40 - 41 percent approval rating.

Florida voters support 55 - 41 percent an amendment that would define marriage as being
between a man and woman, slightly lower than the 58 - 37 percent support in a June 3 survey by
the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. Republicans support the amendment
76 - 21 percent while Democrats oppose it 51 - 45 percent and independent voters oppose it by a
similar 51 - 44 percent margin.

Men support the measure 55 - 41 percent while women back it 54 - 42 percent. White
evangelical Christians support it 78 - 20 percent.

"In this very polarized electorate, it is very unusual for a public figure to have such
popularity across party lines as does Gov. Charlie Crist," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director
of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Given that 83 percent of voters say Crist did a
good job dealing with Hurricane Fay, it would be tempting to credit his popularity to that, but in
reality his numbers have been higher than Jeb Bush ever had since he took office.
"The 55 percent level of support for the same-sex marriage ban is a bit surprising given
that similar amendments have passed in a dozen states. But backers have eight weeks to close
that five-point gap by changing some minds and winning over undecided voters."

A total of 53 percent of Florida voters are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied"
with the way things are going in the state, while 46 percent are "very satisfied" or "somewhat
satisfied." While this satisfaction rate is low, it is an improvement over the rates in Quinnipiac
University surveys June 3 and April 10.

This latest survey began before the Florida Supreme Court tossed three proposed
constitutional amendments off the ballot. The poll stopped asking those questions after the
decision was handed down.

Two nights of polling show Florida voters support 51 - 39 percent a proposed
constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes for schools and replace it with other levies,
short of the 60 percent needed for passage. The numbers are virtually identical to the 50 - 38
percent margin in Quinnipiac University's June 3 poll.

Another proposed amendment that the court invalidated - requiring at least 65 percent of
public school funds be spent in the classroom - appeared on its way to passage with 65 - 24
percent support.

Voters oppose 57 - 38 percent an amendment, now dropped from the ballot, making it
easier for the state to provide public funds for vouchers to private or religious schools.

From September 2 - 4, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,427 Florida voters with a
margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points. For the school financing questions, 1,014 voters
were surveyed, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.

For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charlie Crist is handling his job as
Governor?

7. (Asked two nights only, prior to Court ruling) There may be on the ballot a
proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes about 25 percent by doing
away with local property taxes used to fund public schools. How much have you heard
or read about this plan - A lot, some, not much or nothing at all?

TREND: There *may be on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce
property taxes about 25 percent by doing away with local property taxes used to
fund public schools. How much have you heard or read about this plan - A lot,
some, not much or nothing at all? * 6/3/2008 wording: There "is" a proposed...."

8. (Asked two nights only, prior to Court ruling) The proposed constitutional
amendment would require the funds to be made up through one or more of the following
options - an increase in state sales tax of up to one cent, the elimination of some
sales-tax exemptions, or reducing spending. Would you support or oppose this
constitutional amendment?

TREND: The proposed constitutional amendment would require the funds to be made
up through one or more of the following options - An increase in state sales tax
of up to one cent, the elimination of some sales-tax exemptions or reducing
spending. Would* you support or oppose this constitutional amendment?
*6/3/08 wording: "Do" you support or oppose....

Sep 8 Jun 3
2008 2008*
Support 51 50
Oppose 39 38
DK/NA 10 11

9. (Asked two nights only, prior to Court ruling) If this constitutional amendment
were to pass, would you prefer the legislature - increase the state sales tax,
eliminate sales-tax exemptions or reduce spending on state programs and services?

TREND: If this constitutional amendment were to pass, would you prefer the
legislature - increase the state sales tax, eliminate sales-tax exemptions, or
reduce spending on state programs and services?

11. (Asked two nights only, prior to Court ruling) Would you favor or oppose a
constitutional amendment that would make it easier for the state to provide public
funds for vouchers to private or religious schools?

12. (Asked two nights only, prior to Court ruling) Another proposed constitutional
amendment that may be on the ballot would allow school voucher programs in Florida
and require that schools spend at least 65 percent of their budgets in the classroom.
Would you support or oppose this proposed constitutional amendment?

TREND: Another proposed constitutional amendment *that may be on the ballot would
allow school voucher programs in Florida and require that schools spend at least
65 percent of their budgets in the classroom. Would you support or oppose this
proposed constitutional amendment?
*6/3/08 wording did not include "that may be on the ballot"

Sep 8 Jun 3
2008 2008
Support 65 63
Oppose 24 25
DK/NA 11 12

13. Do you think schools should spend more than 65 percent of their budgets on
classroom instruction, less than 65 percent, or is 65 percent about right?

14. In general, how much influence do you think state government should have on the
decisions of local school districts in how they spend their funds? Do you think that
state government should have a lot of influence, some, not much, or no influence at
all?

TREND: In general, how much influence do you think state government should have on
the decisions of local school districts in how they spend their funds? Do you
think that state government should have a lot of influence, some, not much, or
no influence at all?

15. Another proposed constitutional amendment would specifically define marriage as a
legal union between a man and a woman, making same-sex marriage illegal in Florida.
Do you support or oppose this constitutional amendment defining marriage as a legal
union between a man and a woman?

TREND: Another proposed constitutional amendment would specifically define marriage
as a legal union between a man and a woman, making same-sex marriage illegal in
Florida. Do you support or oppose this constitutional amendment defining marriage
as a legal union between a man and a woman?

Sep 8 Jun 3
2008 2008
Support 55 58
Oppose 41 37
DK/NA 4 4

16. Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be
allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed to
obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

TREND: Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be
allowed legally to form civil unions, but not marry, or should not be allowed to
obtain legal recognition of their relationships?